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A little while back I tripped on a kerb stone, falling badly and fracturing my femur. I was chasing an offender (I'm a Police Officer). I was taken to hospital and had surgery the next day. I had a rod placed in the cavity of the femur (right) and screws placed at the hip and knee to stop the rod spinning. The fracture is about 12 inches from the knee. I am now on the road to recovery and have just started using the gym. However, I still experience a lot of pain.Is this normal and if so, how long does it last? I am trying to push myself to get fit for Christmas so that I can get operational again.

Answer

It takes about six weeks for bone to heal, and because you've had surgery the healing time might be even longer.As long as there is still a fracture to be repaired, there will be pain.It doesn't help recovery to push the pain. I would advise you to make sure your activity level is monitored by a professional physiotherapist.Maybe your employer has someone who could help? If not your GP will be able to suggest someone in your local area.Yours sincerelyDr Bob Leckridge, GP

I searched to see if I could find what the doctor said to me, and this Police man described what my surgeon said, but gave it a name. The femur + corner of hip.

I cannot see, do not know the inside or centre of the bone (I thought it was filled with marrow, so wouldn' the rod displace the marrow?)

Whatever, this combo of pictures shows the knee, next up and top. I took them for posterity and having to possibly explain. The knee pic is what the Policeman mentioned, as the screws to stop the spinning, the mid one has a "run-through" as well, and the top as well, to reinforce the rod and keep it there. .....think knee to hip

I can imagine the bone is set, if broken in two. or fractured but I was told broke (only) and have the rod.

Do the pictures help? To follow after resizing

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"The joy of love lasts such a short time, but the pain of love lasts one's whole life"

Well those pictures of where the screws are tells a medical person, without his asking, it was a "rod job"!

plus, you see

I have 2- 12" rods, along with nuts, bolts and clamps, aligning my spine, from 40 years ago. I was told then that if my body didn't reject them in 10 years I would have them for life.

I saw a woman back then who had hers removed and was in a body cast. She became a patient in my hospital room and was not only constipated, but impacted. We talked and she cried from the agony, and FINALLY someone came around who said he/she would help. Meanwhile I began to wonder what would happen to her.

xxIz

« Last Edit: April 11, 2009, 03:20:25 PM by Izzy_*now* »

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"The joy of love lasts such a short time, but the pain of love lasts one's whole life"

Did the doctor tell you that the procedure was an "open reduction with internal fixation" (ORIF) of a fractured femur? It sounds as if that may be it...The pictures are really something- The injuries look so painful. Hope you are resting and healing well.